New Hub for AI Agents Coming to AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) will launch a dedicated AI agent marketplace next week, according to sources close to the development. The move positions AWS to better support AI-focused startups and directly connect them with enterprise customers.
This development arrives as “AI agents” become the center of innovation in Silicon Valley. Although the term lacks a strict definition, AI agents are broadly understood as autonomous programs powered by AI models that can take actions, make decisions, and interact with software without constant human input.
Anthropic to Play a Key Role
Anthropic, one of the fastest-growing AI companies, will be among the first partners for the AWS marketplace. Already backed by Amazon, Anthropic is expected to gain a major boost from this platform.
The company develops in-house agents and provides APIs for others to build on top of its Claude model. With the AWS marketplace, developers using Anthropic’s tools could potentially reach a wider customer base—especially those already using AWS cloud services.
Why a Marketplace Now?
Currently, most AI agents exist in isolated environments. Companies develop and offer them through limited channels. AWS seems to be solving this distribution problem by introducing a centralized marketplace where startups can list their agents.
This setup will allow enterprise customers to search, discover, and install AI agents from one location—much like browsing apps in an app store. The marketplace will also offer pricing flexibility, allowing startups to monetize their tools directly instead of bundling them within broader service contracts.
Revenue-Sharing Model Revealed
Like other online marketplaces, AWS will take a cut from agent sales. However, the percentage is expected to be low. For startups, the trade-off is access to AWS’s massive enterprise customer base.
The model mirrors that of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, with agents priced independently instead of being part of a large bundled offering.
Other Players Are Already In
Amazon is not alone in this race. Google Cloud launched its AI Agent Marketplace in April, followed by Microsoft’s Agent Store inside 365 Copilot. Salesforce and ServiceNow have also created their own marketplaces for enterprise AI agents.
However, these ecosystems remain fragmented. Startups face the challenge of building for multiple marketplaces. AWS could change that by attracting a broader range of developers and centralizing access for users.
The Bigger Picture
Anthropic, which recently crossed $3 billion in annualized revenue, views AI agents as the core of AI’s future. Its involvement in AWS’s marketplace suggests the platform could grow quickly if developers and enterprises align.
Still, it remains to be seen whether such marketplaces benefit smaller AI companies or primarily amplify larger players. What’s clear is that AWS’s move signals a growing shift toward making AI agents mainstream across industries.
